The Fulfilment of the Right of the Adequate Housing in Indonesia within the Framework of the Implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

Abstract

Every person has the right to prosperous life which has been inherited since they were born. One of the implementation of this right is to live in a decent and affordable house. The responsibility of the State in providing decent and affordable house for their citizen is mandated by the Preambule and Article 28H paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of Republic Indonesia, which stipulates that every person shall have the right to live in physical and spiritual prosperity, to have a home and to enjoy a good and healthy environment, and shall have the right to obtain medical care. The fulfillment of such obligation by the government in providing decent and affordable housing for its citizens in order to meet their civil and political, economic, social, and cultural rights based on the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights ratified by Law Act No. 11 Year 2005. In reality, however, not all of the citizens of Indonesia have enjoyed their rights to live in a decent house. This is due to different regional growth and development as well as the lack of attention by the government on citizens who have low-income. One of the solution for this legal problem is to synchronize the legal rules regulated under the 1945 Constitution, Act No. 1 Year 2011 regarding Housing and Shelter, and Act No. 11 Year 2005 regarding The Ratification of The International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as guidance in developing and providing decent housings for citizens, especially low-income citizens (MBR), through the ownership of “Rumah Swadaya”, “Rumah Umum”, “Rumah Khusus”, “Rumah Negara”, and “Rumah Komersil”, each having different functions. Any mechanism is used, there shall be an extent of legal protection for the citizen’s rights with regards to the provision of decent houses. The State must immediately provide legal protection and assurance for citizens who have no access to decent and affordable houses by making an arrangement or discussion with the stakeholders and the relevant groups of the community.